Patriots Journal: Belichick glad Sox hired Valentine

FOXBORO — Put Bill Belichick on the list of those who are happy the Red Sox have hired Bobby Valentine as their new manager.

By PAUL KENYON | | Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO - Put Bill Belichick on the list of those who are happythe Red Sox have hired Bobby Valentine as their new manager.

"(I) love Bobby, great guy, great baseball guy," the Patriots'coach responded Friday when asked about the Red Sox choice.

Belichick related that he has known Valentine since both wereworking in New York, Valentine with the Mets and Belichick with theGiants. The two have not kept in touch in recent years, butBelichick hopes they will resume their friendship.

"Bobby is a wonderful guy. I look forward to catching up withhim," he said.

More running, maybe

As the colder weather arrives, the ability to run the ball isconsidered more important than ever in the NFL.

This week, it would seem more likely than ever that the Patswill run the ball. The Colts are last in the league in yardsallowed rushing, with 1,657. That is an average of 150 per game.Four backs have gone over the 100-yard mark against the Colts, whohave allowed a league-high 102 first-downs on running plays.

But Belichick would not buy into the you-have-to-run-in-Decembertheory.

"I don't know. I think winning is just as important as it alwaysis in December," he said. "So whatever you have to do to win,whether that's stop the run, stop the pass, run the ball, throw theball, block kicks, return them. There are only a few games left inthe season, each one gets more important because there are fewer ofthem left, there is less margin for error all the way across theboard.

"It's a five-game season instead of a 16-game season. It allcomes down to winning. You tell me what we need to do to win, andI'll tell you that's the most important thing. Whatever that orderis, it could change from week to week or opponent to opponent. Ofcourse the running game is important, the passing game isimportant, the kicking game is important. Everything is important;winning is important. Whatever we can do to win, then that's themost important thing."

The Patriots are in position to run more than any point in theseason, if they want to. BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been slowed by atoe injury much of the season, but he seems to be healthier than hehas been in a while. Also, the two rookie running backs, StevanRidley and Shane Vereen, have looked good when they have had achance to play.

Colts' new coordinator

While most of the focus on the Colts' disastrous season has beenon the loss of Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis defense has had aterrible season, to the point where the team fired Larry Coyer, itsdefensive coordinator this week.

Linebacker coach Mike Murphy has taken over the defense, but hewill be limited in what he can change.

"There is never a good time to make a move like this," Colts'coach Jim Caldwell said. "But this is the best decision, and thebest time for us to make a change and make something happen. Wewaited to take a look at different situations, we had two weeks toprepare for this particular game, and thus here we are. So we'relooking at the future now, obviously, of trying to make certainthat we look forward. Talking about the future, the immediatefuture of this next game coming up this weekend. We've got to getready to go."

"Obviously, it's going to be very, very difficult to say you'regoing to see a wholesale change in three days," Caldwell said. "ButI do think that you're going to see effort, hustle and good, soundprinciples and practices, and football in the way in which we knowhow to play. We just expect to be better in all areas. Now that'sgoing to take, like I said, it's going to take us a littletime."

"Certainly you're going to see some things that may change alittle bit. I'm not going to go into the details of what those arebecause I don't want to, certainly, give our opponent anyadvantages in that regard, but you'll see adjustments," Caldwellsaid. "But overall, the core of our principles in terms of how werun our defense, in essence, is also getting back to some of thethings that we used to do, and do well."

The Colts are last in the league in points allowed andthird-down defense.

Injury list

The Patriots have ruled out tackle Sebastian Vollmer for Sundaywith a back/foot injury. Linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee) is listedas doubtful. Meanwhile, wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (hamstring)returned to full participation in practice and is listed asprobable for Sunday.

For the Colts, Manning (neck) and tight end Dallas Clark(fibula) are out as expected. Guard Ryan Diem (knee), wide receiverAnthony Gonzalez (groin) and guard Joe Reitz (knee) returned topractice Friday and are listed as questionable. Running back JosephAddai (hamstring), tight end Brody Eldridge (hand), fullback RyanMahaffey (concussion) and defensive tackle Drake Nevis (low back)did not practice and are listed as questionable, as is center JeffSaturday (knee), who has practiced the last two days.

Pats' toy drive

The Patriots' Charitable Foundation will hold a toy collectionat Sunday's game as part of its season-long Celebrate Volunteerismcampaign.

Bins with the Celebrate Volunteerism and NEPCF logo will belocated at Patriot Place Plaza Gates, the Ubid.com Ramp, the P10Parking Lot near the Bank of America Gates, the W3 Entrance and theE3 Entrance. Donations all will be accepted all next week at thePatriot Place Management Office and the Pro Shop.